PHIPPSBURG

Phippsburg man killed when ATV hits utility pole

A Phippsburg man was killed in an ATV accident just before 1 a.m. Monday on Sebasco Road, police said.

Justin S. Thomas, 20, was traveling east around a bend in the road when the vehicle struck a utility pole, Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry said.

Speed and wet road conditions were factors in the accident, Merry said. “There was a steady rain at the time of the crash,” he said.

BRUNSWICK

Police hold juvenile suspect in aftermath of stabbing

Brunswick police arrested a juvenile suspect, but said Sunday that they have no additional information in a stabbing that took place Sunday afternoon on Gurnet Road.

Police responding to a call found that Scott Pelkey, 44, had been stabbed at his home. He was at Maine Medical Center on Monday.

The suspect is being held at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland.

PORTLAND

Wardens warn of thin ice as ice-fishing season starts

Maine’s ice-fishing season kicked off as the new year began, but wildlife officials are warning that ice conditions are unsafe across much of the state.

The Maine Warden Service said people need to exercise extreme caution before venturing out. Cpl. John MacDonald said the recent warm temperatures, some windy days and rain have made for dangerous conditions in many places.

The Department of Conservation reported last week that even lakes in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway system have inadequate ice to support ice fishing and snowmobiling.

Number of fire deaths doubles in past year

The number of fire deaths in Maine more than doubled last year from the state’s record low set in 2010.

Steve McCausland of the state Department of Public Safety said the state recorded nine fire deaths in 2010. In 2011, the number grew to 23.

He said the worst year for fire deaths was 1967, when 70 people died. The average for the past decade has been 17.

As for homicides, the state ended the year with 23, on par with the average of 24 homicides during the past decade. Maine’s worst year for homicides was 1989, with 40.

Court will hear arguments in lawsuit over suicide

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments to decide if the parents of a 25-year-old woman were legally obligated in preventing her from committing suicide.

Kristin Cummings shot herself with her father’s gun in 2008 at her parents’ home in Norway.

As the representative of Cummings’ estate, her husband sued his in-laws on behalf of his two children. A judge then ruled there was no evidence the parents should be liable for the suicide.

According to the Bangor Daily News, an attorney representing Cummings’ estate claims the parents were negligent because they left the loaded gun out despite knowing her mental state and after being told by medical care providers that she needed to be constantly watched.

Oral arguments are scheduled for Jan. 10.

BIDDEFORD

Name of stabbing victim still not being released

Police say they’re still unable to release the name of a man who was stabbed in the neck Sunday night, and they say he isn’t cooperating with detectives investigating the incident.

Police responded to a report of a stabbing at 96 South St. A 20-year-old man who lives at the address was involved in a fight outside the residence, police said.

The man was taken to Maine Medical Center and was admitted in serious condition.

Investigators are still determining exactly what type of weapon was used and who else was involved, police said.

EDINBURG

State police identify victim of fatal weekend accident

The final fatal accident victim on Maine roads in 2011 was a 63-year-old woman from Nova Scotia.

Aizih Gao of Halifax was in the back seat of a car driven by her daughter, Xiao Lin Deng, 40, also of Halifax, on Saturday afternoon.

While trying to pass another vehicle on Interstate 95 in Edinburg, north of Old Town, Deng lost control of the car, which skidded across both northbound lanes and struck a tree off the breakdown lane, according to Maine State Police.

Gao died upon arrival at Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln. The likely cause of the crash was driving too fast for conditions, said Trooper Tucker Bonnevie.

LOVELL

Norway man dies in crash after vehicle skids on ice

A Norway man died Sunday when the car he was in skidded on ice, rolled over and struck a utility pole.

The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office said Eric Blades was killed when the 2003 Dodge Caravan in which he was a passenger crashed around 10:35 a.m.

Police said Katrina Alberry of Norway was driving the van west on Shave Hill Road in Lovell. As the vehicle rounded a curve, she lost control on the ice-covered road.

Blades, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alberry, her husband and two children were transported to Bridgton Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.

BANGOR

Toxicology reports awaited in death of young child

Authorities are awaiting toxicology reports to determine how a child died Friday, according to Bangor police.

“An autopsy was performed over the weekend and is in the toxicology stage, which could take several weeks,” Sgt. Paul Edwards said.

The age and identity of the child were not released. The death occurred at a residence on Allen Street.

State law requires that investigations and autopsies be performed in cases involving the deaths of children under age 3.

Officer serving subpoena finds car that was stolen

A Maine police officer who went to serve a subpoena at a motel found a car that had been stolen.

Police arrested 30-year-old David Harris of Bangor last week on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, trafficking in dangerous knives, carrying a concealed weapon and other charges.

The subpoena was not for Harris, but for someone who was at the Ranger Inn in Bangor.

Copy the Story Link